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18 Jun 25. Armscor extends SA Army APC bid validity. The long-delayed search for new armoured personnel carriers (APCs) for the South African Army continues, with bid validity being extended to the end of September. In January 2023, Armscor issued a Request for Information (SA Army/R/403/6) for a 2+8 seat APC capable of counterinsurgency operations with variable ballistic and mine protection able to defeat an 8 kg mine. Armscor was originally supposed to place the procurement contract from 1 April 2024, but this was delayed. On 23 July 2024, Armscor issued tender ELWS/2024/71 for personnel carrier vehicles for border patrol, to be utilised for internal and external missions of the SA Army. Nearly 500 vehicles are to be acquired, in three variants: 210 Section variants, 144 Command variants, and 108 Ambulance variants. Bids were initially due to close on 23 August last year, with deliveries expected on or before 15 March 2025. However, the tender has faced numerous challenges, including changing requirements – Armscor revised specifications, reducing the combat weight as the original user requirement was mostly taken from that of the Badger infantry fighting vehicle for the SA Army, and this was not practical for the vehicles required for border patrol. Bid validity has been extended before, and in a letter to bidders dated 17 June 2025, Armscor’s Supply Chain Management announced another extension. “There is a likelihood that the bid process will not be concluded before the expiry of the currently validity period. You are therefore requested to extend the validity period until 30 September 2025,” according to Samson Mahlangu on behalf of Executive Manager: Supply Chain Management.
“In the event that you are willing to hold your bid valid for the extended period, you undertake not to vary/modify the bid. Armscor may at its discretion, only consider the escalation of the prices provided the reason for such escalation is clearly (sic)”, the notice read.
The bid calls for a vehicle with a 13.5 ton Gross Vehicle Mass, while catering for a minimum payload of 1.5 tons. Ballistic protection must be to NATO STANAG Level 1 that covers 7.62 x 51 mm and 5.56 mm ball ammunition. Mine blast protection must be to Level 2 (single 6 kg surrogate mine placed under the vehicle). Market entry and bid proposal consultant James Kerr believes the bid’s requirements are a stretch for the industry to meet. He believes it would take at least a year for the first 60 vehicles to be delivered after tender award, and the remaining vehicles following at least three years after that. The new APCs will replace the troop pack vehicles previously acquired for border patrol – over 400 Toyota Land Cruisers were originally bought for this purpose. National Treasury allocated R500 m in 2024/25 for the procurement of vehicles to replace the troop packs. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
18 Jun 25. BAE Systems (LON: BA) partnered with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC) to advance the M109-52 Self-Propelled Howitzer prototype. The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) ensures further development to provide options that enhance long range fires, enhance technology and improve artillery systems Soldiers are using in operations today. The M109-52 prototype delivers a low-risk technical solution and lower-cost approach that provides necessary core warfighting capabilities more rapidly.
“We are working with DEVCOM-AC to continue modernizing the U.S. Army’s long-range precision fires needs,” said Dan Furber, artillery product line director for BAE Systems’ Combat Mission Systems business. “We’re bringing together battle-proven systems with mature technologies to secure a significant leap forward in capability at a much lower cost – that’s the power in partnership.”
The CRADA builds upon previous work and testing performed independently by both BAE Systems and DEVCOM-AC to create a faster development pathway for new artillery capabilities and lethality upgrades to the M109A7 Paladin. Continued work on the M109-52 will take place at Picatinny Arsenal and BAE Systems’ robust U.S.-based defense industrial base including Anniston, Alabama; Elgin, Oklahoma; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and York, Pennsylvania. (Source: PR Newswire)
17 Jun 25. British Army gets logistics boost as new support vehicles delivered. German supplier Rheinmetall is expanding its footprint in the British Army to include tank conversions, armoured personnel carriers, and more. More than 200 multipurpose support trucks bought under a rapid procurement process have been handed over to the British Army, with hundreds more to follows in the coming months. Sourced from Germany’s Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle, the trucks have been designed to allow troops to transport essentials such as ammunition, food, water and support materiel to operational locations. A total of 500 MAN trucks were bought under a £282m ($380.7m) contract which was awarded to Rheinmetall by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), an arm of the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) with support from British Army Headquarters, in seven months. Fielding began in 2024 with 217 vehicles now having been delivered and in use by soldiers from 7 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, who are currently on deployment in Wales.
Major George Holdcroft, one of the Squadron Commanders in the regiment, said his troops had been “impressed” by the increased power and responsiveness of the trucks, according to a 16 June release from DE&S.
The MAN vehicles are part of the HX family of mobility trucks, integrating military off-the-shelf components, and have been fitted with external cameras to improve operator visibility. On current plans the remaining vehicles will be delivered by this autumn, when all vehicles will be formally accepted by the British Army. The HX family is operated by the UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
Rheinmetall becoming leading British Army supplier According to GlobalData’s United Kingdom Armed Forces – Equipment Inventory 2025 report, the British Army received more than 6,600 MAN trucks between 2005-2006, designated as Logistics Support Vehicles (LSV). In recent years, the scale of contracts provided to Rheinmetall by the UK MoD have pointed to the company becoming a partner of choice for the UK government, particularly in sourcing equipment for the British Army. This includes a multi-billion-pound planned acquisition of 623 Boxer armoured vehicles and associated variants for the British Army, in addition to the £800m programme to upgrade the Challenger 2 main battle tanks to the Challenger 3 standard via the RBSL joint venture with BAE Systems. The UK is also pursuing the development of the RCH 155 mobile artillery system in collaboration with Germany, which sees Rheinmetall heavily involved via the use of the Boxer vehicle as the base platform through the ARTEC consortium. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 Jun 25. GM Defense and NP Aerospace team to address future UK and NATO opportunities. GM Defense is teaming with defense contractor NP Aerospace to pursue the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirements as part of the Land Mobility Programme (LMP). This team will also address broader opportunities across NATO and allied nations. LMV is intended to replace aging vehicles with a Common Based Platform and is part of the LMP, which is a broader initiative by the British Army to modernize and consolidate its vehicle fleet. GM Defense, a unit of General Motors, leverages commercially proven platforms with their inherent cost efficiencies from high-volume manufacturing, to deliver affordable, highly customizable commercial solutions that are ready for immediate deployment. The business’ flagship solution, the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and its utility variant, are both based on the rugged Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. The ISV features a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts and is a proven vehicle that is highly adaptable and already in service with U.S. Army infantry, Special Operations Forces, and Canadian Armed Forces, in addition to forward deployed forces across the U.S., Europe, and Canada. GM Defense will include both vehicles as a part of their offering for the LMV Programme.
“Our objective is to deliver the next generation of mobility solutions for the UK with speed, efficiency, and enhanced capabilities by leveraging GM’s extensive investments in mobility R&D, product development, and manufacturing. This is now coupled with NP Aerospace’s expertise in armor manufacturing, technology integration, vehicle maintenance and support,” said GM Defense President Steve duMont. “Together, we will deliver innovative solutions to the British Army, demonstrating our commitment to provide the best capability to our NATO alliance partners.”
With facilities in Coventry, UK and London, Ontario, Canada, NP Aerospace offers access to localized design and tailored content, with the ability to deliver solutions for global defense and government customers. GM Defense will leverage NP Aerospace’s expertise to pursue both the UK LMV Programme and Canadian Armed Forces’ Light Utility Vehicle and Light Forces Enhancement programs.
“With decades of experience maintaining and upgrading global vehicle fleets, we are pleased to expand our teaming agreement with GM Defense to introduce new capabilities and innovation to UK and NATO defence markets,” said NP Aerospace CEO James Kempston. “The LMV Programme is designed to deliver much needed fleet modernization and wider economic growth as part of the Land Industrial Strategy.”
GM Defense and NP Aerospace have been collaborating to develop cooperative research and development, post-production support, and global logistics and sustainment for various projects since 2023. The companies will showcase advanced technologies at defense exhibitions later this year.
16 Jun 25. Indo Defence 2025: Indonesia introduces locally developed light tank. Jakarta-based PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has unveiled the mock-up of a locally developed amphibious light tank, which it is positioning for the Indonesian Army’s armoured reconnaissance requirements. It is known as the P8 light tank and it has been under development over the last two years, said Wahyu Rahmat Hidayat, a PT SSE engineer who spoke to Janes at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition where the mock-up was unveiled. In the interview, Wahyu described the P8 as one that has been designed fully by Indonesian engineers, and the tank has been conceived specifically for tropical operating conditions. A major feature of the P8 is manoeuvrability and deployability, said Wahyu. The vehicle weighs just 12 tonnes, and this makes it more capable of crossing the muddy terrains and rivers associated with the Southeast Asian landscape. Its weight and dimensions also make it suitable to be transported by aircraft that are in service with the Indonesian Air Force, such as the C-130. Armour thickness of the P8 varies from 8 mm to 12 mm depending on the location, with critical areas such as those surrounding the driver and its ammunition magazine reinforced with maximum protection. It is designed to be powered by a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, which includes a six-cylinder 450 hp engine that gives the tank a top speed of about 80 km/h. Weapons that can be fitted onboard the P8’s remote-controlled weapon station include a 30 mm cannon, 12.7 mm machine guns, and anti-tank guided missiles. (Source: Janes)
10 Jun 25. UK Light Mobility Vehicle ~ Pipeline Notice. The ongoing saga of the UK MoD Light Mobility Vehicle Tender inched forward last month with the publication of a UK1 Pipeline Notice, writes Bob Morrison. The UK Ministry of Defence, as previously discussed, has a requirement a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) as part of the Land Mobility Programme (LMP) including “delivery of a wheeled utility platform to modernise capability in roles currently filled by Land Rover and Pinzgauer with a Common Based Platform delivering warfighting roles across the Joint Force”. Under the Procurement Act 2023 (introduced by the Sunak Government to overhaul public procurement law in the UK by simplifying processes and giving a greater share of public sector supply opportunities to small businesses) for new procurements over £2 m starting 24 February 2025 or later, a UK1 Pipeline Notice needed to be published about potential future contracts and dynamic markets if a UK4 Tender Notice or UK5 Transparency Notice was due to be published in the 18 months starting 1 April 2025. On Thursday 22 May (26 May was Bank Holiday Monday across the UK) the MoD DE&S (Defence Equipment & Support) department at Abbey Wood (Bristol) issued UK1 Pipeline Notice No. 2025/S 000-024621 ‘Supply of Light Mobility Vehicle’. In this notice the estimated date of a Tender Notice is advised as being 1 December 2025, the estimated Contract Dates are given as 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2033 and the estimated Total Value is given as being £750 m excl. VAT. There is, of course, no guarantee that the tender process to replace the UK Armed Forces long-serving Land Rover Defender and ATL Pinzgauer fleets will actually bear fruit this time. However sand in the hourglass is fast running out and spare parts to keep both fleets of vehicles (which are no longer in production) on the road are becoming even harder and more expensive to source, so hopefully somebody with influence will ensure the sloth doesn’t return to its slumbers. (Source: joint-forces.com)
15 Jun 25. The latest evolution of the Plasan SandCat, the MkV or 5th Generation, was spotted at DEFEA 2025 in Athens last month, reports Bob Morrison. Recently introduced by London’s Metropolitan Police Service in an earlier version, believed to be the MkIII, the MkV displayed in Greece is the latest addition to Israeli company Plasan’s SandCat Family of Vehicles (FOV) “designed specifically for Special Forces”. According to the manufacturer: “This 4×4 vehicle features a powerful 330Hp engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, and exceptional tactical mobility with Mud/Snow 335/80 R20 run-flat tires.” Based on the Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup truck, powered by a 6.7 litre Ford Power Stroke V8 OHV turbo-diesel engine, the MkV SandCat has a kerb weight of 7300kg and offers a payload of 2000kg giving a class-leading GVW of 9.3 tonnes. Up to eleven troops or armed police officers can be carried by this five-door armoured personnel carrier, though if a turret or remote weapon station is fitted in place of the roof hatch it is likely fewer passengers would be carried. No details of armour level have been released by the manufacturer of this vehicle, which appears to have a V-shaped hull, but they do state: “An optional mine protection system further enhances its survivability.” (Source: joint-forces.com)
12 Jun 25. PLA Developing Hybrid Powered MBT. The People’s Liberation Army Hybrid Powered Main Battle Tank. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is currently developing a Main Battle Tank (MBT) equipped with a hybrid power pack. Images and information in open sources, suggest the tank test bed technology demonstrator combines a diesel engine with electric power and a high-capacity battery array. Much of the current information on the test-bed are coming from social media posts such as China’s Weibo. So far there have been no official government releases. As a result details are limited. However, photos show the demonstrator is using the running gear and suspension of the current T-99 MBT. The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) industry is renowned for its advanced electric motor technologies and high-capacity batteries. These critical areas are pivotal in applying hybrid propulsion to combat vehicles, aligning with the PLA’s stated goal of utilizing commercial technologies in military applications. The Type 099A MBT, from which the chassis is being use, is the PLA’s latest first line MBT. It entered service in 2011 with an estimated three hundred fifty currently in service. With increased armour it is powered by a 1500 hp diesel engine and weighs fifty-five tons making it the heaviest PLA MBT. This higher weight is inconsistent with previous PLA MBT designs which sought to accommodate the existing capacities of both the road infrastructure and the demands of the varied topography of the country. A hybrid power pack could provide a Type 99 successor with equivalent performance at lower combat weight. In addition the hybrid power would address the PLA’s concerns over the reduced power provided by diesel engines in thin-air conditions of the Himalayan plateau high elevations. Western MBT, armored combat vehicle, and some tactical truck developers have also recognized the significant benefits of hybrid power in military vehicles. These include increased range, higher torque, faster acceleration, silent running capability, and greater electrical power generation. The PLA may view the hybrid-powered MBT as a solution to powering its MBTs and other tactical combat vehicles operating at extreme elevations, where conventional diesel engines are less efficient. The hybrid development may also indicate that PLA battlefield technology is reaching levels equivalent to Western forces narrowing or even eliminating the quality advantages previously anticipated. Hybrid powering offers major tactical advantages, enabling vehicles to meet the increasing power demands of electronic systems, including active protection, advanced sensors like radar, and even energy weapons. Switching to electrical power can also eliminate or significantly reduce the vehicle’s acoustic and thermal signatures. Typically, technology demonstrators or test beds serve as the initial practical step towards incorporating technologies into a “next-generation” system, with the potential for implementation within four or more years.(Source: AMR)
13 Jun 25. Two industry teams to begin bending metal for Bradley replacement. The sun rises above an M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle at a range in Qatar on Nov. 11, 2018. (Spc. Jovi Prevot/U.S. Army National Guard) The U.S. Army has signed off on the advancement of two industry teams into a technology development phase to build prototypes of a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle replacement. American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems have passed through the critical design review stage of a competition to build the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicles and have the green light to start bending metal, several individuals within industry and the service have confirmed to Defense News. The individuals were granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. The two companies were chosen from a pool of bidders in June 2023 to proceed to the detailed design phase of the program. The XM30 was recently called out in a memo issued by the Army secretary as a program the service is keen on accelerating, along with a modernized version of its Abrams tank it is calling the M1E3. The service is championing the program as it axes other vehicle programs like the M10 Booker light tank in low-rate production and its current Robotic Combat Vehicle program. Both teams are designing a hybrid vehicle featuring a suite of lethal capabilities, to include a 50mm cannon, a remote turret, anti-tank guided missiles, machine guns employed through an advanced third-generation, forward-looking infrared sensor, an integrated protection suite, kitted armor and signature management capabilities, as well as intelligent fire control, Army officials have said. The total value of both contracts awarded at the start of the design phase was approximately $1.6bn; the overall program is expected to be worth about $45bn, according to the Army. The companies will build prototypes by the final fiscal quarter in 2026. Vehicle testing and evaluation will then begin. The Army plans to decide on a winner to move into production in mid-2027. While acceleration plans are unclear, previous plans indicated that first production vehicles would then be fielded in fiscal 2029. The Army was already moving on an aggressive schedule between completion of a preliminary design review and a critical design review, Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for ground combat systems, told Defense News last fall. Such a schedule is possible because of the designs taking place in a digital engineering environment and frequent soldier touch points in physical and virtual mockups, Col. Kevin Bradley, who is in charge of combat vehicle modernization within Army Futures Command, said in the same interview. American Rheinmetall Defense’s team includes Textron Systems, RTX, L3Harris Technologies and Allison Transmission, as well as artificial intelligence-focused company Anduril Technologies. General Dynamics Land Systems is teamed up with GM Defense; Applied Intuition, a specialist in modeling and simulating autonomy for the automobile industry; and AeroVironment, which is providing its Switchblade loitering munitions for integration into the design. GDLS also continues to work with General Dynamics Mission Systems to incorporate networks, radio gear and cyber capabilities. (Source: Defense News)
13 Jun 25. KAPLAN/HARIMAU APC, is Revealed at Indo Defence 2025. As part of the Long-Term Cooperation Agreement signed between FNSS and PT Pindad for the serial production of the KAPLAN MT (HARIMAU) Medium Weight Class Tank, developed for the Indonesian Army, FNSS successfully completed the delivery of KAPLAN MT vehicles in 2024. The vehicles were produced in Indonesia through a technology transfer model. This project marked Türkiye’s first tank-class export and played a key role in the Indonesian Ministry of Defense’s decision to select FNSS and PT Pindad once again—this time for its Tracked Armoured Personnel Carrier program. In line with this decision, a “KAPLAN APC (HARIMAU APC) Development and Production Agreement” was signed between FNSS and PT Pindad under the main contract concluded between PT Pindad and the Indonesian Ministry of Defense to meet the Indonesian Army’s 30-ton class tracked personnel carrier requirement. The agreement was officially signed at the SAHA EXPO in October 2024, where FNSS also unveiled the initial concept model of the KAPLAN APC at its stand. This week, the KAPLAN APC is being exhibited at PT Pindad’s stand during the Indo Defence Expo and Forum 2025, taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia (June 11–14). Manufacturing activities are scheduled to begin in 2025, with the first vehicle to be produced at FNSS facilities in Türkiye and the second by PT Pindad in Indonesia. Deliveries are planned for the end of 2026. The vehicles will be designed in accordance with end-user requirements, and qualification tests will be jointly conducted by FNSS and PT Pindad in both Türkiye and Indonesia. KAPLAN APC design architecture provides a high level of battlefield survivability that includes advanced ballistic, best-in-class mine protection systems and adequate firepower. Kaplan APC is a unique example of FNSS experience and excellency in tracked vehicle design and benefits from all improvements of Kaplan MT development. The vehicle capable of carrying 13 soldiers including gunner, driver & commander. It has the ability to move at high speed on roads or cross-country terrain, and can operate in all kinds of climate. The advanced suspension system is designed to reduce vehicle vibration and increase road holding. It has an open-architecture vehicle electronics infrastructure that allows easy integration of different mission equipment’s such as Battlefield Management System and 360-degree situational awareness cameras that provide both day and night vision for crew and dismounts. KAPLAN APC is equipped with modular survivability systems to offer an effective solution to the changing threats of the battlefield. It is fitted with protection packages against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive threats. KAPLAN APC also offers an active protection system option against anti-tank missiles and rocket propelled grenades.
The vehicle incorporates automatic fire suppression system, A/C unit and CBRN defence measures by providing a sealed environment within the vehicle. These features prevent toxic contaminants, enabling crew members to survive and maintain combat efficiency even when the outside environment is hazardous and lethal. KAPLAN APC is a modular vehicle, designed with possible integration options for manned and unmanned turret systems, armed with light and medium calibres as well as 120mm mortars and ATGM turrets and weapon systems. This modular design allows KAPLAN APC to be role-kitted in order to perform full spectrum missions such as mechanised infantry, reconnaissance, command & control, force protection, medical evacuation, recovery, combat engineering and direct or indirect fire support. All those versions are based on the new generation of common armoured combat vehicle platform, with a power-to-weight ratio of at least 22 hp/ton (depending on configuration), automatic transmission, and the ability to operate with modern main battle tanks. High level of commonality in parts and sub-systems with Kaplan MT and with other variants in Kaplan tracked vehicle family is an important advantage for Kaplan APC. Moreover the vehicle also futures common sub systems with FNSS Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV) which is the armoured amphibious platform in-service with the Turkish Navy Marine Infantry Brigade. Using the common combat proven parts from its family, Kaplan APC has several benefits in terms of reliability, logistics and serviceability. This ability also offers reduced logistics burden, increased mean time between failures (MTBF) and enhanced mission readiness for the users worldwide. (Source: ASD Network)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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